The Great Aycliffe Neighbourhood Plan will proceed to public referendum on Thursday 22 June 2017.
It is important that residents of the parish vote, as the Neighbourhood Plan is a statutory planning document which sets out policies relating to key areas such as landscape, environment, housing, heritage, retail provision and parking.
These are local policies which will govern the future development of the town and parish. A simple ‘yes’ you agree to the Plan and the policies contained within it, or ‘no’ you don’t is all that is required.
After a long and comprehensive series of public consultation throughout the parish, Great Aycliffe will be the first parish to reach the referendum stage in County Durham. In addition, the Plan’s ‘Housing for Older People’ policy, which includes bungalow provision, will be the first of its kind in the country should a ‘yes’ vote be achieved.
Residents emphasised that the green and open feel of Great Aycliffe was of key importance and the Plan aims to both protect the existing environment and ensure that any new development maintains green spaces and has adequate parking provision.
In addition, at the request of residents, we have asked for the highest possible energy standards to be used in new developments. Parking was highlighted as a major issue in a number of areas, and again specific policies have been included to try to mitigate these problems.
An ‘Area of Separation’ has been included to ensure Aycliffe Village does not become engulfed by the Town. The Plan is available to view on Great Aycliffe Town Council’s website
http://www.great-aycliffe.gov.uk/info/neighbourhoodplan-4
or at http://www.durham.gov.uk/article/3285/Neighbourhood-Plan-submissions
Paper copies are available to view at Newton Aycliffe Library, the Youth and Community Centre, Woodham Community Centre, Pioneering Care Centre, Xcel Centre and Great Aycliffe Town Council Offices.
